How to say "policy" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 方針ほうしんnounA policy as a guiding line or course of action: a company's policy on hiring, a school's policy, a government's basic policy. It names the direction an organization has decided to follow, whatever the field.
- 政策せいさくnounPolicy in the political sense: measures adopted by a government or political party, as in economic or foreign policy. Use it when 'policy' means what a government does rather than a private organization's stance.
- 策さくnoun, noun (suffix)For 'policy' this is marginal: it really means a plan, scheme, or measure — a way of dealing with a situation. It is seldom the word you want; think 'plan' or 'measure' first.
- 施策しさくnounA policy in the sense of a concrete measure put into effect, typically by a government or administration. Choose it when 'policy' means an implemented measure rather than a guiding principle.
- nounThe loanword, used much like English 'policy': a stated principle or stance of a person or organization, e.g. one's own policy or a company's policy. It carries the flavor of the English word.
Choose 方針 for a general guiding policy or course of action, 政策 for government policy, 施策 for concrete measures put into effect, 「ポリシー」 for a stated personal or organizational principle; 策 really means a plan or measure.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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